TORONTO, March 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gran Colombia Gold Corp. (TSX: GCM; OTCQX: TPRFF) announced today the release of its audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying management’s discussion and analysis (MD&A) for the year ended December 31, 2019. All financial figures contained herein are expressed in U.S. dollars (“USD”) unless otherwise noted.
Serafino Iacono, Executive Chairman of Gran Colombia, commenting on the Company’s results for 2019, said, “We had a very solid year in 2019 with record production and new highs for revenue, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and adjusted earnings that helped us to significantly strengthen our balance sheet. Our market capitalization has responded and we were delighted to be acknowledged in the TSX30 and the OTCQX Best 50 based on our share price performance. We are excited about the new company, Caldas Gold, and the opportunity for value creation that lies ahead with the expansion on the underground mining operations at Marmato. Today we have also announced an update on our mineral resources and reserves at Segovia and we are pleased to report that we have not only replaced the mineral resources and reserves we mined last year, but our drilling programs have given us several high priority targets we will be following up in our 2020 drilling program to add more reserves and mine life at this high-grade operation. We are continuing to monitor developments in the battle against COVID-19 and we are adapting our response plan as new information becomes available almost daily. Keeping our workers and their families healthy is our number one priority. We are fortunate that we have been able to continue operating at this time and we will provide updates on our progress. We are also working with our social foundation partners to provide food and aid to the local communities in which we operate. On behalf of the Board and management, I would like to thank all of our workers for adapting to the required protocols during this very difficult time.”
Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 Highlights
Selected Financial Information
Fourth Quarter | Year | |||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||
Operating data | ||||||||||||||||
Gold produced (ounces) | 65,237 | 55,260 | 239,991 | 218,001 | 173,821 | |||||||||||
Gold sold (ounces) | 59,169 | 56,360 | 233,866 | 214,622 | 173,645 | |||||||||||
Average realized gold price ($/oz sold) | $ | 1,480 | $ | 1,198 | $ | 1,381 | $ | 1,239 | $ | 1,226 | ||||||
Total cash costs ($/oz sold) (1) | 685 | 698 | 661 | 680 | 720 | |||||||||||
AISC ($/oz sold) (1) | 1,003 | 934 | 916 | 919 | 942 | |||||||||||
All-in costs ($/oz sold) (1) | 1,048 | 951 | 946 | 930 | 942 | |||||||||||
Financial data ($000’s, except per share amounts) | ||||||||||||||||
Revenue | $ | 88,463 | $ | 68,207 | $ | 326,480 | $ | 268,525 | $ | 215,365 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA (1) | 40,607 | 23,736 | 146,675 | 102,386 | 75,456 | |||||||||||
Impairment (charge) reversal | (175,989) | - | (175,989) | - | 45,307 | |||||||||||
Net (loss) income | (148,849) | 8,038 | (131,164) | (3,379) | 36,848 | |||||||||||
Per share - basic | (2.86) | 0.17 | (2.65) | (0.10) | 1.81 | |||||||||||
Per share - diluted | (2.86) | 0.17 | (2.65) | (0.11) | 0.61 | |||||||||||
Adjusted net income (1) | 17,113 | 14,517 | 60,460 | 42,498 | 22,895 | |||||||||||
Per share - basic | 0.33 | 0.30 | 1.22 | 1.23 | 1.13 | |||||||||||
Per share - diluted | 0.27 | 0.29 | 1.04 | 0.59 | 0.30 | |||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 34,635 | 23,463 | 103,276 | 79,643 | 50,527 | |||||||||||
Free cash flow (1) | 21,953 | 14,444 | 60,611 | 44,040 | 25,560 | |||||||||||
December 31, | ||||||||||||||||
2019 | 2018 | 2017 | ||||||||||||||
Balance sheet ($000’s): | ||||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 84,239 | $ | 35,645 | $ | 3,272 | ||||||||||
Gold Notes, including current portion – principal amount outstanding (2) | 68,750 | 88,250 | - | |||||||||||||
Convertible Debentures – principal amount outstanding (3) | CA20,000 | - | - | |||||||||||||
Former Convertible Debentures – principal amount outstanding (4) | - | - | 140,811 |
Marmato Project Impairment Charge
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded an impairment charge in the amount of $176.0 million ($153.6 million net of tax) related to its Marmato Project. The Company determined that the proposed spin-out of the Zona Baja part of the Marmato Project through the Bluenose RTO Transaction, along with its assessment of the prospects for the Zona Alta and Echandia mining titles, were indicators that the recoverable amount of the Marmato Project may be less than its carrying amount of approximately $194.8 million. In the Bluenose RTO Transaction, the arm’s length fair value assigned to the Marmato Mining Assets in Zona Baja was $44.2 million. With the spin-out of Zona Baja, including its operating mine, the Company reassessed the separate fair value of the Zona Alta and Echandia mining titles on a stand-alone basis. The Company has no exploration operations in Zona Alta or Echandia and has not been able to establish its own mining operations in these areas due to the presence of illegal miners who have not only impeded any mining operations by the Company in the area but have also curtailed access to it. In addition, in May 2018, as a consequence of these ongoing impediments to establishing mining operations, along with certain related matters associated with its Segovia Operations, the Company had filed the FTA Claim. The arbitration proceedings center on claims against Colombia for its non-compliance with its obligations under the Free Trade Agreement which effectively continues to preclude the Company from establishing operations in Zona Alta and Echandia. The arbitration proceedings are in process; however, a decision on the matter is expected to be more than 12 months away. In light of the various factors considered by the Company in evaluating its inability to develop Zona Alta and Echandia, the Company concluded that, even if it could sell such assets, the estimated fair value (less cost of disposal) realizable through a potential sale process at the present time would be negligible.
Outlook
The Company started 2020 with the completion of two significant transactions in February. The CA$40 million non-brokered private placement that closed in early February enables the Company to deleverage its balance sheet and reduce its debt service costs with an early redemption at the end of March of 30% of the aggregate principal amount of the Gold Notes issued and outstanding. The spin-out of the Marmato Mining Assets in Zona Baja into Caldas Gold, in which the Company holds a 74.4% equity interest, in late February sets the stage for Caldas Gold to move toward the eventual financing and development for the expansion of the existing underground mining operation to incorporate the Deeps mineralization. Caldas Gold is proceeding with the preliminary feasibility study (“PFS”) which should be completed by mid-2020 and has started a 15,000 meters drill program aimed at extending the Main Zone down-plunge, from the 650-level down to the 400-level. The drilling program also aims to test the hanging-wall and footwall of the Main Zone, looking for satellite bodies and a replica of the Deeps Zone.
In February 2020, the Company provided its annual production guidance for this year. At its Segovia Operations, total gold production for the first two months of 2020 amounted to 33,413 ounces and the Company indicated at the time that it expects its annual gold production at Segovia for 2020 will range between 200,000 and 220,000 ounces. Head grades averaged 15 g/t through the first two months of 2020 and are expected to average approximately 14 g/t (+/- 5%) over the course of the full year as the Company opens additional new areas within its existing three mines and commences production from its Carla mine late in the third quarter of 2020. Caldas Gold also indicated at the time that it expects that with the implementation of the optimized mine plan envisioned in the 2019 preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”), the existing Marmato mine will produce a total of between 32,000 and 37,000 ounces of gold in 2020.
The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020. COVID-19 has spread globally, and actions taken in response to COVID-19 have interrupted business activities and supply chains; disrupted travel; contributed to significant volatility in the financial markets, resulting in a general decline in equity prices and lower interest rates; impacted social conditions; and adversely impacted local, regional, national and international economic conditions, as well as the labor market. To date, COVID-19 has not had any significant impact on production or product shipments at Segovia and Marmato. However, the Company has activated its business continuity program at its mine sites in Colombia in response to a national quarantine that went into effect on March 25, 2020 and is expected to continue through to mid-April and possibly longer. To the extent possible, the Company expects that the mines at Segovia and Marmato will continue to operate during the quarantine period, leveraging stockpiled material and supported by a contingent of employees, both Company and contractor, who will remain isolated within the mine camps during the quarantine period to carry out mine, plant and other operations. The Company is continuing to monitor the situation and at this point in time, is taking remedial action as the situation unfolds. However, in light of COVID-19, the Company has taken steps to slow down discretionary operating and capital expenditures to preserve its liquidity during this unusual situation. The Gold Trust account already holds sufficient physical gold to meet the April 30th quarterly amortizing payment of the Gold Notes and the Company’s cash balances are sufficient to meet its debt service other financial obligations through the balance of the year. There is risk in the event of an extended quarantine or other circumstances which disrupt the Company’s operations over a prolonged period that the Company’s production could be impacted in the future as the situation unfolds, which may cause the Company to have to revise its production guidance and outlook for 2020 accordingly. The Company will provide further guidance regarding expected cost metrics and planned capital and exploration spending once the situation returns to normal and it has a more fulsome understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s 2020’s operating and financial results.
Segovia Operations – Mineral Resource and Reserve Update
Gran Colombia also announced today that it has completed updated Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates for its Segovia Operations prepared in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum (“CIM”) Definition Standards incorporated by reference in National Instrument 43-101 (“NI 43-101”) with an effective date of December 31, 2019.
Highlights of the December 31, 2019 MRE update include:
The following table summarizes the MRE for the Segovia Operations as of December 31, 2019 and changes by category in tonnes, grade and ounces of gold compared with the previous total MRE as of December 31, 2018:
Project | Deposit | Type | Measured | Indicated | Measured & Indicated | Inferred | ||||||||||||||||||||
Tonnes (kt) | Grade (g/t) | Au Metal (koz) | Tonnes (kt) | Grade (g/t) | Au Metal (koz) | Tonnes (kt) | Grade (g/t) | Au Metal (koz) | Tonnes (kt) | Grade (g/t) | Au Metal (koz) | |||||||||||||||
Segovia | Providencia | LTR | 118 | 15.9 | 60 | 296 | 13.0 | 124 | 414 | 13.8 | 184 | 315 | 8.3 | 84 | ||||||||||||
Pillars | 108 | 26.1 | 90 | 116 | 12.1 | 45 | 224 | 18.8 | 135 | 389 | 20.0 | 249 | ||||||||||||||
Sandra K | LTR | 385 | 10.3 | 128 | 385 | 10.3 | 128 | 315 | 8.6 | 87 | ||||||||||||||||
Pillars | 152 | 10.9 | 53 | 152 | 10.9 | 53 | ||||||||||||||||||||
El Silencio | LTR | 824 | 11.5 | 304 | 824 | 11.5 | 304 | 1,736 | 8.3 | 462 | ||||||||||||||||
Pillars | 1,459 | 10.7 | 504 | 1,459 | 10.7 | 504 | 395 | 12.1 | 154 | |||||||||||||||||
Verticales | LTR | 771 | 7.1 | 176 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Subtotal Segovia Project | LTR | 118 | 15.9 | 60 | 1,504 | 11.5 | 555 | 1,623 | 11.8 | 616 | 3,136 | 8.0 | 809 | |||||||||||||
Pillars | 108 | 26.1 | 90 | 1,727 | 10.8 | 602 | 1,835 | 11.7 | 692 | 784 | 16.0 | 403 | ||||||||||||||
Carla | Subtotal Carla Project | LTR | 154 | 9.7 | 48 | 154 | 9.7 | 48 | 178 | 9.3 | 53 | |||||||||||||||
December 31, 2019 (1) | 226 | 20.8 | 151 | 3,385 | 11.1 | 1,205 | 3,611 | 11.7 | 1,356 | 4,098 | 9.6 | 1,265 | ||||||||||||||
December 31, 2018 (2) | 218 | 20.0 | 140 | 3,289 | 11.2 | 1,187 | 3,507 | 11.8 | 1,327 | 3,562 | 10.1 | 1,157 | ||||||||||||||
% Change vs previous | 4% | 4% | 8% | 3% | -1% | 2% | 3% | -1% | 2% | 15% | -5% | 9% |
During 2019, Gran Colombia continued its in-mine and near mine drilling campaign designed to increase the Company’s confidence in the potential to add new mineral reserves and extend mine life. The results of the 2019 drilling program were included in press releases issued by the Company on August 13, 2019, October 21, 2019 and February 24, 2020, including (i) the discovery of a new high-grade vein called the 1180 Vein at El Silencio that is expected to begin mining as early as the third quarter of 2020, (ii) confirmation of the extension of the Manto Vein at El Silencio down-dip by over 1,000 meters relative to Level 38, the deepest level of mining on the Manto Vein by Frontino Gold Mining, (iii) continued to delineate and further extend down-plunge, to approximately Level 8, the main high-grade shoots at Sandra K and (iv) successfully intercepted the faulted block of the Providencia vein. The results of the 2019 drilling have identified potential targets to increase the Mineral Resources at Segovia, all of which will be followed up in the 2020 drilling program. The updated MRE for the Segovia Operations incorporates assay results from an additional 319 diamond drillholes totalling 52,335 meters of sampling information in the databases compared to the previous model, inclusive of the 2019 drilling program and the ongoing validation exercises of historical information being completed by the Company’s geologists. All diamond core has been logged and sent for preparation at the SGS laboratories in Medellin, with associated Quality Control Programs. In addition to the drilling, a total of 5,700 channel samples totalling some 5,869 meters in length were completed in 2019.
Ben Parsons, Principal Consultant (Resource Geology) with SRK, prepared the Segovia MRE according to CIM Definition Standards and will be supported by a NI 43-101 independent report which will be published and filed on the Company’s website and SEDAR profile within 45 days. Mr. Parsons is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The NI 43-101 independent report will include detailed information on the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineral resources.
Segovia Life-of-Mine (“LoM”) Mineable Gold Reserves Total 670,000 Contained Ounces Effective December 31, 2019
SRK has also completed preliminary results of an updated Preliminary Feasibility Study (“PFS”) for the Segovia Operations effective December 31, 2019 and is currently finalizing the technical report. The PFS demonstrates that the Company has replaced the Mineral Reserves mined in 2019. At December 31, 2019, Segovia’s reported Mineral Reserve totaled 670,000 proven and probable ounces of gold, based on 2.0 million tonnes of material at an average head grade of 10.5 g/t, compared with 688,000 ounces at the end of 2018.
The following table shows a breakdown of the Mineral Reserve as of December 31, 2019 by area and category compared with the total Mineral Reserve as of December 31, 2018:
Area | Category | Tonnes (kt) | Grade (g/t) | Au Metal (koz) |
Providencia | Proven | 165 | 16.5 | 88 |
Providencia | Probable | 154 | 12.0 | 59 |
Sandra K | Probable | 249 | 8.9 | 71 |
El Silencio | Probable | 1,313 | 9.9 | 419 |
Carla | Probable | 104 | 10.0 | 33 |
December 31, 2019 (1) | Total | 1,985 | 10.5 | 670 |
December 31, 2018 (2) | Total | 1,941 | 11.0 | 688 |
% Change vs previous | 2% | -5% | -3% |
A summary of the key LoM operating and financial parameters of the current PFS dated as of December 31, 2019 compared with the previous PFS prepared as of December 31, 2018 is as follows:
December 31, 2019 | December 31, 2018 (1) | |||
Operating data: | ||||
Ore milled (tonnes) | 1,985,000 | 1,941,000 | ||
Gold produced (ozs) | 607,000 | 623,000 | ||
Financial data (U.S. dollars): | ||||
Expected long-term gold price | $1,350/oz | $1,275/oz | ||
LoM gold revenue | $819 million | $794 million | ||
Total cash cost, including refining | $711/oz | $695/oz | ||
LoM sustaining capex, including exploration | $150 million | $132 million | ||
Mine-level AISC | $958/oz | $907/oz | ||
Undiscounted after-tax free cash flow | $151 million | $148 million | ||
NPV after-tax free cash flow @ 5% | $139 million | $136 million |
Fernando Rodrigues, BS Mining, MBA, MAusIMM, MMSAQP Practice Leader/Principal Consultant (Mining Engineer) with SRK, prepared the Segovia Mineable Reserve according to CIM Definition Standards and will be supported by a NI 43-101 independent report which will be published and filed on the Company’s website and SEDAR profile within 45 days. Mr. Rodrigues is a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. The NI 43-101 independent report will include detailed information on the key assumptions, parameters and methods used to estimate the mineable reserve.
Fourth Quarter and Year End 2018 Results Webcast
As a reminder, Gran Colombia will host a conference call and webcast on Tuesday, March 31, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the results.
Webcast and call-in details are as follows:
Live Event link: | https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/dvu5jmwv |
International: | 1 (514) 841-2157 |
North America Toll Free: | 1 (866) 215-5508 |
Colombia Toll Free: | 01 800 9 156 924 |
Conference ID: | 49466343 |
A replay of the webcast will be available at www.grancolombiagold.com from Tuesday, March 31, 2020 until Thursday, April 30, 2020.
About Gran Colombia Gold Corp.
Gran Colombia is a Canadian-based mid-tier gold producer with its primary focus in Colombia where it is currently the largest underground gold and silver producer with several mines in operation at its high-grade Segovia Operations. Gran Colombia owns approximately 74% of Caldas Gold Corp., a Canadian mining company currently advancing a prefeasibility study for a major expansion and modernization of its underground mining operations at its Marmato Project in Colombia. Gran Colombia’s project pipeline includes its Zancudo Project in Colombia together with an approximately 21% equity interest in Gold X Mining Corp. (TSXV: GLDX) (Guyana – Toroparu) and an approximately 20% equity interest in Western Atlas Resources Inc. (“Western Atlas”) (TSX-V: WA) (Nunavut – Meadowbank).
Additional information on Gran Colombia can be found on its website at www.grancolombiagold.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information:
This news release contains "forward-looking information", which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the continuation of operations during the COVID-19 situation, production guidance and anticipated business plans or strategies. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Gran Colombia to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements are described under the caption "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Information Form dated as of March 30, 2020 which is available for view on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this press release and Gran Colombia disclaims, other than as required by law, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, results, future events, circumstances, or if management's estimates or opinions should change, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
For Further Information, Contact:
Mike Davies
Chief Financial Officer
(416) 360-4653
investorrelations@grancolombiagold.com